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Spacemonkeyz
vs. Gorillaz
Laika Come Home
label: astralwerks
released: 07.16.02
our score: 3.0 out of 5.0
buy it: here
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For a group
who, first of all, doesn't really exist and who, second
of all, really only has one major release album to their name,
Gorillaz sure have been busy for the past year and a half. Their
self-titled album debuted March of 2001, it was followed by an
excellent b-side collection aptly titled G-Sides, and
now there's their latest: Laika Come Home.
With Laika,
the Gorillaz have once again managed to put out a highly engaging
release, without really doing anything new. Laika, you
see, is really nothing more than a dub/reggae reworking of their
debut. But that's not bad - not in the least. In fact it's pretty
damn good.
Employing
the assistance of the "Spacemonkeyz" (Gavva, D.Zire,
and Dubversive), Laika Come Home manages to be a Gorillaz
album without really any of the Gorillaz. Sure you'll find snippets
here and there of what made the Gorillaz disc what it
was, but really what you're getting is a wonderful selection of
dub and reggae with the occasional tripped-out electronic splash
tossed in for good measure.
The latest
remix of "19/2000" - "Jungle Fresh" opens
the disc in prime form: a deep-bassline and vintage organ driven
reggae track sure to make King Tubby himself bob his head in satisfaction.
Meanwhile, "Strictly Rubbadub" ("Slow Country")
and "De-Punked" ("Punk") explore the horn/electronic
end of the spectrum and even manage to nearly outdo their originals.
Honestly though,
it's not even fair to compare Laika to Gorillaz debut.
It's an entirely different breed of album, and stands well-enough
on it's own - and is surely more than enough to please both Gorillaz
fans and the general dub/reggae enthusiast.
And if that's
not enough proof, check out the stoney-goodness of "Lil Dub
Chefin'" (M1A1). It's got Terry Hall for Christ's sake! If
his seal of approval isn't enough, then God help you now.
21-Aug-2002
6:15 PM
If you
liked Laika Come Home...
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| Tracklist:
1. Jungle Fresh (19/2000)
2. Strictly Rubbadub (Slow Country)
3. Banana Baby (Tomorrow Comes Today)
4. Monkey Racket (Man Research)
5. De-Punked (Punk)
6. P45 (5/4)
7. Dub 09 (Starshine)
8. Crooked Dub (Soundcheck)
9. Mutant Genus (New Genius)
10. Come Again (Re-Hash)
11. Fistful Of Peanuts (Clint Eastwood), A
12. Lil' Dub Chefin' (M1A1)
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